Give your burdens to the Lord

by Margaret Okubo

When sadness breaks our hearts, and the pain that ensues grows persistent and unrelenting, many of us tend to bow our heads in deep sorrow and hide in the darkest recesses of depression. This is the way many of us try to cope in times of trials. But do such actions really help or hinder us? Often such actions offer only temporary relief from the physical aspect of our suffering, but it does not result in a permanent resolution. Additionally, some of us cry out to God for help; however, when that help is long in coming we either surrender to despair or simply give up.

This morning, I sat with the members of my prayer group and listened to their prayers for help. While watching their tears flow, I started thinking if there is another way to solve our problems and allow us to fill our minds and hearts with inner peace. Every morning this prayer group comes together and pray. The same petitions are offered in prayers each day; however, the same lines of pain remain etched on their faces. It appears as if their situations never change.

I do believe that prayer is powerful; however, a strong manifestation of faith is also needed to get the required solution. There has to be a more efficient way to make this a reality. Suddenly an inspiring thought, or maybe the words of the Holy Spirit, came to me. It was ,“Give your heart to Jesus. Place your heart within His heart.”

While pondering upon these words, I felt far removed from those around me. My spirit was resting upon Jesus. Naturally, another question sped through my mind afterwards to enhance the solution to this question became obvious, “How do I give my heart to Jesus?” The answer came in the form of the following prayer:

“I give you my heart dear Jesus. Do with it what you will. My pain and sorrow, also disappointments and joys, I now place within your heart. I need no longer worry now that my heart is within your heart. I am free to live my life in peace knowing that you will handle it with care.”

Relief poured over me at that moment, and I felt a heavy burden being lifted off my shoulders as I experienced the delectable taste of His love and freedom. There is nothing more wonderful than being able to live without anxiety and fear. Having handed over my heart to Jesus this morning, my fear and anxiety instantly dissipated, and I immediately felt His blessed assurance in my soul. Jesus’ words of assurance states, “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:26).

Jesus tried to make life easy for us. His request is that we are to trust in Him. Nevertheless, we continue trying to do things in our own way for ourselves; thus, not accepting His invitation and trusting Him to do things for us in His own time. He has instructed us to ask for whatever we want; however, we are to believe in Him and we will receive our requests with all His riches and glory.

Jesus says, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed you can say to the mountain move from here to there and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you” (Mathew 17:20). Nevertheless, we are disappointed when the response takes too long. As a result, we often try other ways to get what we want.

Jesus also gave us the gift of love to guide us. His love is all encompassing. When we extend His love to everyone, we are able to experience happiness by thinking of others instead of concentrating on our own burdens. The Bible says, “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people. Love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19: 18).

Our neighbor is everyone regardless of race, color or creed, also whether they are believers or non-believers. Through love we can bring all nations together. If we discriminate against them we will only alienate them and lose any chance we may have of bringing them closer to walk with God. We are all God’s children and He loves us all.

In times of great trials do not bow your heads in sorrow. Do not pull today’s’ dim clouds over tomorrow’s sunshine. The Scriptures states, “Ask and you shall receive so that your joy may be complete” (John 17:24).

Finally, we must believe without a doubt that our prayers will be answered. While waiting, we are to trust in Him for He is the Comforter, and is our Haven of rest. Naturally, He is also the Way, the Truth and the Light for us to follow.

Writer: Margaret Okubo is a published author/poet. She is a retired Registered Nurse, Midwife and Public Health Nurse who traveled internationally during her nursing career.She also worked in Kenya and had the opportunity of being involved in rural development programs and to interact with people from various religious backgrounds and ethnicity who taught her to view life as a gift from God; to accept each day as a blessing; to endure and overcome hardship and to cherish each person as a precious gift.

Now in her retirement Margaret enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, writing articles of inspiration and serving the Lord. Books published are Everyday Miracles (2007) and On the Wings of Time (2008). Margaret lives in Murfreesboro TN, USA.

10 Comments to Give your burdens to the Lord

1. And how true this is.
   Giving our burdens to God, to Jesus is not just a one time thing at the time of salvation. Daily, as we open the day with prayer and close the day with pryer we entrust our lives to God and give Him our burdens. And when or should I say as we do that our burdens are relieved. That does not necessarily mean the solution we seek but it means that it is now in God’s hands and we know that He cares for us.
   Daily we must bring our burdens to Him entrusting Him with them and us . We must then rest in the peace that comes to us.
John Stephenson on April 22nd, 2009

2. Truth and honesty in this article. thankyou,

   “It is enough that Jesus died and that he died for me”

   I’m reminded of the thief crucified with Jesus who joined with Him in paradise. Jesus saved him and COULD have set him free from the earthly punishment he deserved. but our saviour did not. Both Jesus and the thief suffered and died together. But the thief died in agony and pain kowing he would spend eternity in paradise.

   “It is enough that Jesus died and that he died for me”
Graham on April 23rd, 2009

3. Wow. I’ve been fighting myself on my faith. I want to give my hands up to the lord. I do believe. Margaret Okubo your timing in itself is proof God is listening to me. I asked him to guide me to something on the internet that will fill my heart. I found you. What makes it more special is your in Murfreesboro TN, I’m just up the road in Nashville. With ties in Murfreesboro especially in this trying time for so many families reading your article warms my heart, and my thoughts and prayers are with all the families affected by the Good Friday Tornadoes. Bless you. With faith all prayers will be answered.
Colleen on April 26th, 2009

4. My dear Colleen I am, so sorry I did not get back to this site until today but reading your comment brought tears to my eyes. I also needed a sign from God that writing is the way He wants me to spread His word and comfort others. Your comment is proof of this. God bless you.
   Margaret.
Margaret Okubo on December 12th, 2009

5. I want the peace of God so Badly! I prayed that prayer so loud at night I need to learn to Trust the Lord and I want to soo badly but my faith is so weak and in need of Jesus. I only want to serve Jesus nothing else nothing more, just to worship him. I beg him to restore his peace within me and happiness and joy.

   Matt
Matthew Mazzoni on March 8th, 2010

6. Matthew Just ask God to grant you peace and Believe. That is all. He will do the rest.

   Weak faith does not prevent you from receiving the grace of God. He is your father and He
   loves you just as you are.

   He will meet you where you are and carry you where He wants to lead you.

   Blessings dear one.

   Margaret
Margaret Okubo on April 9th, 2010

7. I am having a difficult time in my life.

   I am 56 and unemployed and been searching for over a year with no luck. I feel my age has a lot to do with my not finding work.

   I am very unsure of myself and when I hear “Give all your problems to the Lord” I am confused. I don’t mean to sound stupid but it sounds so simple, how do I know if have given it up to the Lord? I pray a lot and try hard to listen, really listen, but what am I doing wrong that I do not hear what I need to hear?

   Donna
donna on April 13th, 2010

8. This is for DONNA

   I believe you are right it sounds so simple but it is not. I do not believe you are doing anything wrong. I had many difficult times in my life, one after the other, and when I hear something so simple as this article, it makes me feel more insecure. Giving the problems to the Lord it does not mean the problems will go away, it means you are not alone.
   You do not have to carry the heavy burden all on your own, He is listening, but we have to keep working on the problem, waiting for the time He will open the doors for us to go through. Our lives are ruled by a clock, but in God’s realm time does not exit, we have to be patient! It is not that simple as Margaret shows it!
   God Bless You!
   Grace
Grace on April 15th, 2010

9. To Donna and Grace.You are both correct when you say that your problems do not just go away but your perspective of life changes because of the hope you now have in Christ once you place your burdens in His capable hands.

   Also it is by our trials that we become weak and helpless like a child who has fallen in mud and is unable to get up. This is the time that we offer no resistance to God who is then able to mold us into His own image and forge us into a complete union with himself. Remember too after a period in the desert comes our joy in the promised land. Unfortunately the period spent in the desert depends on the degree of our resistance to His will.
   MAY THE PEACE OF THE LORD BE WITH YOU BOTH.
Margaret Okubo on April 15th, 2010

10. Dear Miss Margaret,

    I’m going through a very dark time in my life and struggling with a couple of serious life issues. My heart is breaking and I needed a prayer. I love God but I couldn’t find the right words to ask him to hold my heart and take away these heavy hearted burdens.
    I found your prayer.
    “I give you my heart dear Jesus. Do with it what you will. My pain and sorrow, also disappointments and joys, I now place within your heart. I need no longer worry now that my heart is within your heart. I am free to live my life in peace knowing that you will handle it with care.”

    Thank you so much
    Gwynith
gwynith brennan on August 25th, 2011

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